Numbers Shaky in Katrina's Wake

September 12, 2005

Consumer confidence, according to numbers released last week, took a beating during the first few days of the month as the long-term economic fallout from Hurricane Katrina remained uncertain.

How bad is the situation?

Consider that the RBC CASH Index placed consumer confidence at 61.5 in September, its lowest level since early March 2003 when it was at 61.4. September represented the third consecutive month of dropping confidence. The number was at 72.6 in August. In September 2004 the figure stood at 103.4.

The Index is benchmarked to a 100 level as of January 2002 when international polling firm Ipsos initiated the measurement.

By Glenn J. Kalinoski, Executive Editor, Customer Inter@ction Soutions